“The White Tiger” By Aravind Adiga

Introduction:

The White Tiger, by Aravind Adiga encompasses Balram’s life story of entrepreneurship through hardships and the symbolizing clash of Darkness and Light .Balram writes letters to the Chinese Premier Mr. Jiabao to describe what the idea of entrepreneurship is and how it improved himself. He raises through the depths of the Darkness and raises into the Light using only his wits and his common knowledge  Balram becomes an entrepreneur in the wild jungle, the white tiger, 

“‘the rarest of animals -- the creature that comes along only once in a generation’” (Adiga 30)

Symbol/Motif:

Balram lives his childhood in the “darkness” of India which subjects him to unjustified treatment and punishment. This allows him to appreciate things as a free man.

“India is two countries in one: an India of Light and an India of Darkness” (Adiga 12).

Balram's perseveres through the tough journey from the darkness into the light where his journey ends. This journey related to character growth as it shapes him into one whom is grateful for the life he has.

Balram and His Family:

Balram Halwai- The narrator of the story; He is a clever character that develops an interest in becoming an entrepreneur. He presents himself as a smart boy despite the fact that he never finished school. His experiences throughout the book change him from a poor child to a rich businessman.

Family- Balram's family is poor but very traditional. Every member of the family works hard for the well-being of their relatives.

The Rooster Coop:

It is a reoccurring metaphor the novel. A rooster coop is described as an enclosed area for hens and roosters where they are all packed in together so tightly that there is barely any room to move. Despite the poor living conditions, the chickens are not trying to escape which is why the author compares them to the poor class in India.

In the setting of The White Tiger there are several different types of conflicts. The most significant of these conflicts is the classism between the rich and the poor of India. The poor’s rights are continuously violated and elections are manipulated so the rich remain on top. The poor are not allowed to enter places that are reserved for the rich.The rich control India literally buy using money to buy power so they can become even more wealthy. This conflict relates to setting because based on where one is born in India they may have not have many opportunities in life come their way. Balram coveted his independence, and would do anything to achieve it, including killing. Mr. Ashok was holding Balram back from realizing his true potential, and after Balram removed him from his life, he became rather successful Even in general terms, Balram’s actions and philosophies can be put to work in the world today. The Symbolism of the story is living the American dream. Throughout the book the Indian people believe and try to act that India will become a power house like America.

Novel is written as a letter from Balram Halwai to the Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao in which he describes his journey to becoming a successful businessman. Balram is forced to quit school and ends up working in a teashop before becoming a driver for Mr. Ashok. He grows increasingly aware of the corruption in the Indian government and decides that the only way he will become successful is by killing and robbing Mr. Ashok. At the end of the novel he rationalizes his actions by saying that his freedom is worth the life of Ashok.

Aravind Adiga’s The White Tiger closely follows the trials and tribulations that Balram endures in his quest for independence. It is the story of how perseverance and the will to succeed prevails over all else. Furthermore, Balram is the epitome of the ideal characteristics that one should possess in life: the drive and motivation to want to better one’s life , and lastly -- and perhaps most importantly -- the ferocity and guts to get things done, just like the white tiger.